Baby float having swivel seat

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a floatation device for use in water comprising an inflatable flotation member and a seat unit assembly. The seat unit assembly comprises a substantially rigid outer body member engaged to the flotation member and a substantially rigid inner body member rotatable relative to the outer body member. The seat unit further comprises a substantially flexible seat engaged with the inner body member. In operation, a child sitting in the seat member and in the water may swivel or rotate his/her position relative to the flotation member by pushing and/or pulling the outer body member. The floatation device may further comprise a sunshade removably engaged with the inflatable flotation member to protect the child from sun exposure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/580,668 filed on Jun. 17, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water floatation devices for use by infants and young children. There is a continuing need to develop innovative floatation devices for young children that are entertaining and safe.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a floatation device for use in water comprising an inflatable flotation member and a seat unit assembly. The seat unit assembly comprises a substantially rigid outer body member engaged to the flotation member and a substantially rigid inner body member rotatable relative to the outer body member. The seat unit further comprises a substantially flexible seat engaged with the inner body member. In operation, a child sitting in the seat member and in the water may swivel or rotate his/her position relative to the flotation member by pushing and/or pulling the outer body member. The floatation device may further comprise a sunshade removably engaged with the inflatable flotation member to protect the child from sun exposure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-11 are perspective views of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional exploded view showing the rotational engagement of the inner body member upon and about the outer body member of the seat unit assembly; and

FIGS. 13 and 4 are perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the present invention is a baby float 10 for use by an infant and/or young child in a water environment such as a swimming pool or at the beach. In one embodiment, the baby float 10 generally comprises a flotation member 12 disposed about and engaged with a seat unit assembly 20. The seat unit assembly 20 generally comprises a substantially rigid inner body member 22 rotatably engaged with a substantially rigid outer body member 34, and a flexible seat member 40 engaged with and hanging downward from the inner body member 22. A sunshade 46 may be removably engaged with the flotation member 12. In operation, a child positioned in the seat member 40 and the water may swivel or rotate his/her position relative to the flotation member 12 by pushing and/or pulling the outer body member 34, and be protected from the sun.

The flotation member 12 generally comprises an inflatable annular shaped tube member 14 having an air valve 18 for inflation by a person or inflation device. The floatation member 12 further comprises a plurality of annular and inwardly disposed straps 16 engaged with fastener slots 36 (to be described) of the seat unit assembly 20. The straps 16 are preferably made from a flexible polymeric material of sufficient strength to safely secure the seat unit assembly 20 with the weight of a child to the tube member 12 in a substantially fixed position. The flotation member 12 may further comprise a plurality of velcro fasteners 19 removably engaged with corresponding velcro fasteners 50 of the sunshade 46. The flotation member 12 may be made from well known conventional flexible polymer sheet materials and die-cutting and welding manufacturing processes.

The seat unit assembly 20 generally comprises a substantially rigid inner body member 22 rotatably engaged with a substantially rigid outer body member 34. The seat unit assembly 20 further comprises a flexible seat member 40 engaged with and hanging downward from the upper portion of the inner body member 22 and adapted to allow the child to sit therein while in the water.

The rigid outer body member 34 generally comprises a plurality of annularly disposed openings or slots 36 adapted to receive and engage with the straps 16 of the tube member 14. The outer body member 34 further comprises a continuous annular shaped bearing or raceway portion 38. The outer body member 34 is made from conventional rigid polymer materials and injection molding processes.

The rigid inner body member 22 generally comprises an annular channel 24 having a plurality of spaced wheels 26 engaged with the raceway portion 38 of the outer body member 34. The inner body member 22 further comprises a plurality of mounting flanges 28 each adapted to securely mount one of the wheels 26. The inner body member 22 further comprises a plurality outwardly extending male fasteners or tabs 30 adapted to engage with corresponding female fasteners or openings 42 of the flexible seat member 40. The inner body member 22 further comprises a plurality of stop members 32 adapted to prevent the inner body member 22 from disengaging or sliding out from the outer body member 34. The inner body member 22 is made from conventional rigid polymer materials and injection molding processes.

The flexible seat member 40 generally comprises an upper portion 41 having a plurality of female fasteners 42 engaged with the male fasteners or tabs 30 of the inner body member 22 and a lower portion 43 having a plurality of openings 44 to receive the child's legs. The flexible seat member 40 is made from conventional flexible polymer materials and die-cutting and welding manufacturing processes.

The sunshade 46 is removably engaged with the inflatable tube 14 of the flotation member 12. The sunshade generally comprises inflatable leg portions 48 each having a lower end portion with a velcro fastener adapted to engage with the corresponding velcro fastener 19 of the inflatable tube 14. The sunshade 46 comprises an air valve 54 for inflation. The sunshade 46 further comprises a cover portion 52 engaged with and spanning the upper portion of the leg portions 48 to protect the interior of the float 12 from the sun. Although depicted as a mesh net, the cover portion 52 is preferably made from any conventional flexible solid material or any other material that will protect the child from the sun's radiation. The sunshade 46 is made from conventional manufacturing processes.

The baby float 10 may further comprise a variety of other amusement or play structures removably or securely attached to the inflatable tube 14, or the seat unit assembly 20.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the outer body member 34 may comprise a plurality of ball bearings 64 disposed within an annular channel portion 62 formed in the outer body member 34. The outer body member 34 may further comprise an outwardly protruding annular ridge portion 64 extending around the inner periphery of the outer body member 34. The inner body member 22 may comprise an annular channel portion 68 and an outwardly protruding annular ridge portion 66 extending around the inner periphery of the inner body member 22. The inner body member 22 may be engaged with the outer body member 34 and the annular ridge portion 66 of the inner body member 22 is snapped into engagement with the annular ridge portion 64 of the of the outer body member 34. Upon engagement, the bottom of the annular channel portion 68 of the inner body member 22 is in contact with the ball bearings 60 disposed within the annular channel portion 62 of the outer body member 34 and the inner body member 22 can be freely rotated relative to the outer body member 34.

The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes of illustration. The present invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 

1. A float for use by a child in water comprising: an inflatable flotation member; and a seat unit comprising a substantially rigid outer body member engaged to said flotation member and a substantially rigid inner body member rotatably engaged with said outer body member; said seat unit further comprising a substantially flexible seat portion engaged with said inner body member.
 2. The float of claim 2, wherein said inner body member of said seat unit assembly comprises a plurality of wheels adapted to engage with a raceway portion of said outer body member.
 3. The float of claim 2, wherein said floatation member comprises a plurality of straps adapted to engage with said seat unit to substantially fix the position of the seat unit relative to the floatation member.
 4. The float of claim 3, further comprising a sunshade removably engaged with said flotation member. 